THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was Kerala Congress (Mani) working chairman P. J. Joseph who ensured that the party didn't join the Left camp when the bar bribery scandal against its late chief K. M. Mani was at its peak.
Now Mr Joseph is being targeted by his son Jose K. Mani for not granting the "two leaves" symbol to Jose Tom, the UDF candidate in Pala.
The faction led by Mr Mani is now portraying Mr Joseph as a villain, and the UDF leadership is caught between them.
During the bar bribery scam, Jose K. Mani was allegedly keen to join the LDF. But the UDF calmed him with an offer of Rajya Sabha seat.
“Mani camp was then scheming to topple the government. Then it was Mr Joseph who remained strong and saved the UDF. Now it is the turn of the UDF and the Congress to repay,” said UDF secretary Johnny Nellore.
The UDF leaders are holding talks with the two factions on Tuesday to ensure the cease-fire remains at least until the Pala by-election. Several leaders had held informal discussions with the warring groups but to no avail.
Congress leader Joseph Vazhakkan maintained that Mr Joseph would not shift allegiance.
